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‘The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.’ Alan Bennett

“Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.” ― Franz Kafka

Friday, 2 November 2012

How do you Voodoo? - Janice Horton

This new novella by author Janice Horton is a short read for Halloween time. At only 20,000 words it's a quick, entertaining contemporary read.

Nola Nichols is a top fashion model, used to her appearance being preened and polished to perfection at all times. Whilst on a flight traveling back to the UK from the Caribbean, trying to sleep in her first class bed, Nola is irked by a woman who appears to be ill and has been moved up from economy making noise and causing disruption to her peaceful routine. Demanding of the staff that the woman is removed back to her economy seat, Nola is aware of some words that the woman utters; could this be some sort of curse? Thinking little more of this at the time, when she returns home, strange physical changes being to happen to Nola. Suddenly the things she has prized most highly, her looks, are starting to fade, and with an important new modeling job coming up, she must somehow find a way to restore herself.

There is a strong moral behind the story which is very current when thinking about our society nowadays. The main character is very focused on her appearance, believing that this is what matters most. Through the events within the story, she grows to realise that how she behaves and how she treats others are the things that ought to matter to her much more, and that kindness and friendship are more rewarding than selfishness and vanity.

Will she confront the ghosts of her past? And how will things develop with Louis, the doctor she has met? The story takes in, amongst other places, the City of the Dead or Necropolis in Glasgow (read more about this in the link below to the author's post about it.)

It was a nice change to read a shorter story but one that still felt fulfilling and delivered intrigue and character development. Another entertaining, fun modern-day tale from this author with a nice balance of humour, sweet romance, morals and a spooky side!

Thank you to the author for kindly sending me a copy of this novella to read and review.

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Janice Horton lives in Scotland and writes contemporary women's romantic fiction with humour. Her novels ‘Bagpipes & Bullshot’ and ‘Reaching for the Stars’ are both Amazon Kindle bestsellers. Her latest title ‘How Do You Voodoo?’ is a romantic and humorous novella for Halloween and out now!

12 comments:

Hi Lindsay! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing How Do You Voodoo? I really enjoyed writing this novella - it was fun putting poor Nola through a few tricky situations - and I do hope all that comes through for the reader!